Reading

Detail, not just gist

Whilst reading for gist is quick and useful, studying for detail is essential when one word can completely change the interpretation of the message or direction of a project.

Detail comes from understanding how words connect, identifying which meaning is appropriate and then connecting everything together.

How China’s crackdown turned finance high-flyers into ‘rats’

Task

Source

BBC

Article

Article date

11 October 2024

[2-12] = page number-line number

Line numbers

Reference

R002

  • Rough informally means difficult and unpleasant or unfair.

  • Then refers to ‘his first year in the job’.

  • Wear off means to lose effectiveness or intensity.

  • A hot topic is one involving much activity, debate, or interest.

  • Spark means to provide the stimulus for (an event or process):

    • The severity of the planned cuts sparked off protests amongst workers and management alike.

  • To flaunt means to display (something) ostentatiously, especially in order to provoke envy or admiration or to show defiance. Therefore, salary-flaunting means to boast of one’s earnings.

  • Adjective sweeping means a wide in range or effect.

  • They key to why morale is low is in [3-70]:

    • Now his days are mostly filled with chores like organising the data from his previous projects.

  • To the employee, a layoff is negative: a temporary or permanent discharge of a worker or workers because of economic conditions or shortage of work.

    To the company, it may initially be seen as positive (to save money), but the general loss of knowledge has a negative effect.

Read the article, then answer the questions.

  • Answer the questions first before expanding to show answers!

  • NOTE new words: Day one of the holistic adventure comprises a wholesome afternoon tea, one of Dior’s signature treatments, pre-dinner drinks and a healthy feast planned out by Ferguson.

  • NOTE phrases: The news follows hot on the heels — or tracks — of the launch of the Royal Scotsman's Dior spa.

  • NOTE phrasal verbs: ‘Traditionally, storks are considered harbingers of hope, joy and rebirth,’ says The White Stork Project. ‘We hope their return to the UK will signal a transformation, a reconnection with nature that will enthuse and inspire others and help bring about the landscape restoration we so desperately need.’

  • NOTE how the writer expresses themselves: There is more than one way to notice the advent of spring. Traditionally, it is when the sun enters the northern hemisphere. Some people like to wait for the first call of the cuckoo. I like to think it’s when the property photographers get out there and start taking nice pictures.

  • NOTE punctuation: On day two, there’s the option to head out on a private hike; on day three, sit down to a locally-foraged lunch.